Ghana has started off the year at 24th, the same position it finished the previous year in the first edition of the 2014 FIFA ranking released Thursday.

There was no movement whatsoever in the top 25 as the Black Stars but managed to gain two points to increase their accumulated point tally of 851.

However, more movement is to be expected in the February edition of the FIFA Ranking, which will take into account all the results from the 16-team CAF African Nations Championship, which is underway in South Africa. The tournament is exclusive to players based in their home countries.

The Black Stars are still Africa's second best side behind Ivory Coast. Algeria and now Egypt, who leapfrogged Nigeria, follow Ghana in that order on the continental ranking table.

Only 18 friendlies have been included since December’s edition, five of which took place in 2013, with the remaining 13 in the first half of January 2014.

World champions, Spain are still number one as Germany remain in second with Argentina in third.